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New Jersey Immunization Requirements
Updated January 1994
Authority: Education, N.J. Star. Ann. 99 18A:61 D-l et seq., Health and Vital Statistics, N.J Stat. Ann §§ 26:1A-7, 26:1A-9, 9.1, 26:2N-1 et seq. Chapter 14, NewJersey Stare Sanitary Code, Immunization of Pupils in Schools, N.J. Admin Code tit. 8 §§57-4.1 to 4.17.General Rule: The Public Health Council shall have power to establish such reasonable sanitary regulations as may be necessary and proper to preserve and improve the public health in this State. The State Sanitary Code may cover any subject affecting public health, including the immunization against disease of all school children in the State of New Jersey. NJ §§26:1A-7.
"No principal or other person in charge of a school shall knowingly admit or retain any pupil who has not submitted acceptable evidence of immunization," "except when there are exemptions." NJAC §8:57-4.2. "These regulations shall apply to all pupils attending any public or private school in New Jersey, including child we centers, nursery schools and kindergartens, except that the regulations shall not apply to pupils under one year of age." NJAC §8:57-4. 1. A pupil may be admitted on a provisional basis if a doctor indicates that immunization has already been initiated and the pupil is in the process of complying with all requirements. NJAC §8:57-4.5(a).
Exceptions: There are three exceptions:
1) A written statement from any doctor that an immunization is medically contraindicated, will exempt a pupil from the specific immunization requirements for the period of time specified in the statement. NJAC §8:57-4.3.
2) A pupil shall be exempted from mandatory immunization if the parent or guardian objects thereto in a signed, written statement upon the ground that the proposed immunization interferes with the free exercise of the pupil's religious rights. "General philosophical or moral objection to immunization shall not be sufficient for an exemption or religious grounds." NJAC §8:57-4.4(a). This exemption may be suspended during the existence of an emergency as determined by the State Commissioner of Health. NJAC §8 :57-4. 4(c).
3) The Commissioner of Health shall prepare and make available to all health care providers in the State and parents and guardians, upon request, a pamphlet which explains the benefits and possible adverse reactions to immunizations for pertussis. Specific information should include, among others. NJS §26:2N-2. "The circumstances under which pertussis vaccine should not be administered or should be delayed, including the categories of persons who are significantly more vulnerable to major adverse reactions." NJS §26:2N-2.b(l). A child shall not be required to receive a pertussis vaccine as a condition for admission to school if the child's health care provider states in writing that the vaccine is medically contraindicated pursuant to subsection b. (1) of section 2 of hllS §26:2N, and the reasons for the medical contraindications. NJS §26:2N-4.
Epidemic: In the event of an outbreak or threatened outbreak of any designated disease, the Commissioner may issue either additional immunization requirements or modify the requirements to meet the emergency. NJAC §8:57-4.16(a). All pupils failing to meet these additional requirement shall be excluded from school until outbreak is over. NJAC §8:57-4.16(b).
Designated Diseases: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, and mumps. NJACS
Higher Learning: Every public and independent institution of higher learning in this State shall, as a condition of admission, require every graduate and undergraduate student who is 30 years of age of less and is enrolled full-time or part-time, to submit a valid immunization record. MIS 9 18A:61 D-l. Student who attended an elementary or secondary school located in the State may be exempted. IWS g 18A:61 D-2. Religious and medical exemptions also apply. NIS 9 18A:61 D-3 and D-4.
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